Mechanism for the aligned closure of sliding doors, in particular for units of furniture or compartments with two or more doors

ABSTRACT

The invention regards to a mechanism for the aligned closure of sliding doors ( 1 - 3 ), in particular for furniture or compartments (V 1 -V 3 ) with two or more doors, with a sliding door ( 1, 2  or  3 ) for each compartment, and where each compartment opens by sliding and overlapping of one door with one of the adjacent doors and closes in alignment with the adjacent doors. The mechanism consists of a single bracket ( 10 ) for each door, one end of the bracket ( 10 ) being fixed on the door, and its opposite end being equipped with a first sensing bearing ( 13 ) to run along a cam guide ( 70 ), said bracket ( 10 ) being suitable for inclination and transversal movement with a carriage ( 30 ), which also allows it to slide along a rail ( 50 ) to be positioned on the upper surface of the compartments. The carriage ( 30 ) can be adjusted transversally and the bracket ( 10 ) can move axially in relation to the carriage ( 30 ). An arm ( 14 ), one end of which is firmly attached to the bracket ( 10 ), while the other end ( 14   a ) is equipped with at least a second sensing device having a bearing ( 15, 15 ′), can run along an other longitudinal cam guide ( 60 ) using the same bracket ( 10 ) for inclination and movement.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention regards to a mechanism for the aligned closure of slidingdoors in particular for units of furniture or compartments with two ormore doors. Such mechanism comprises a support and guide mechanism forthe sliding doors, in particular for units of furniture or compartmentswith two or more doors with aligned closure, where each compartmentopens by the sliding and overlapping of one door with an adjacent door.

BACKGROUND ART

According to a known method, two or more unit panels or doors forexample, may be converted into sliding doors on one or more verticalplanes in a parallel position one to the other, having been attached toupper and lower brackets that slide along respective and separate trackson the upper and/or lower panels of the unit.

The unaesthetic appearance of units fitted with these types of slidingdoors, which when closed are positioned on different, albeit parallelplanes with little distance one from the other, has led the sector todevelop sliding door solutions that let remain the doors aligned whenclosed while thereby ensuring that said doors overlap when open.

In this respect, a known technical solution is provided by IT 1.208.152proposed in 1986, according to which, the task of aligning the doorpanels positioned in a closed position with a drive mechanism consistingof a double longitudinal and orthogonal guide connected to a relativesliding mechanisms, the orthogonal guide having been attached by extremecurved parts capable of adjusting the direction of the slidingmechanisms upon manually pushing the unit door that forces the unit doorto immediately change track prior before the final closure of the dooror in contrast, during the initial opening of the door.

This solution, which has also resolved the issue of aligning the slidingdoors in a closed position, has caused a certain complexity ofconstruction and assembly, in addition to a certain bulkiness of theoperational member.

Another solution is proposed by IT 1.247.456, according to which alignedclosure of doors can be achieved through the use of guides with inwardlycurved ends, sliding elements that can be brought to a diagonal orinclined position, their ends coming into contact with the curved endsof the guides, with subsequent inclination of the sliding doors duringwhen these overlap upon opening or closure return.

This solution also in some way resolves the issue of aligning the closeddoors, but has often shown itself to be imprecise and unreliable due tothe frequent exit of the sliding devices from their guides duringinclination of the sliding device following each non-standard manualpushing of a door.

These and other issues are resolved by the method proposed by IT1.337.830 according to which a wide bracket is positioned to one side ofeach door to be converted into a sliding door, which is aligned uponclosure, said bracket being supported by the individual doors thattransversally slide on guides fitted to two carriages, positioned alongthe lateral extremities of the bracket and equipped with a pulley and anidler wheel to run along the track and along a stabilisation guide thatruns parallel to said track, being one of the two carriages equippedwith a sensing device/feeler that slides along a cam guide near thetrack and the other carriage equipped with a sensing device that slidesalong a second guide, farther away from said track, in such a way as toresult in inclination of the bracket and thus of the door attached to itwhen the sensing devices of the two carriages reach the final, curvedsection of the respective cam guides.

Only one practical inconvenience has essentially been identified in theuse of this method. Said inconvenience results from the difficulty inusing a single track in the event of a unit of furniture having morethan two sliding doors since the size of the brackets and carriages ofthe first two doors prevent the third bracket from passing along thesame track when the third door is open and the third door thereforeremains only partially open and does not allow easy access to therespective compartment.

Another insignificant restriction found in the development of IT1.337.830 results from the fact that, since the sliding and movementsupports are aligned and positioned on one side of the sliding door,said device is cantilevered and makes difficulties when supporting andguiding doors having large surface and therefore of a certain weight,unless its bearing parts are strengthened.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

The objective of the invention is to create a mechanism for the alignedclosure of sliding doors with two or more doors in particular for unitsof furniture or compartments. Especially the object regards to a slidingdevice for one or more doors or unit and compartment doors, themechanism of which, in addition to being aligned in a closed positionallows each door to be opened with overlapping of the sliding door andthe closed door with one of the adjacent compartments while utilisingthe same guide rail thus providing maximum accessibility and practicaluse of each compartment.

Within the scope of this object, another important aim is to develop asliding device for doors or unit or compartment doors, which issufficiently strong and more balanced and is thus able to support evendoors or unit doors with a large surface area and corresponding higherweight that have very light movement and are thus safe and practical.

Another important aim of this invention is the introduction of aconstructive simplification, with improved performance of IT 1.337.830which it is our aim to improve, requiring, for each unit door, theapplication of a single bracket, thus significantly reducing the lengthand size and eliminating the two current transversal sliding carriagesof the door.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION

The objects are solved by the mechanism having features according toclaim 1. Preferred aspects and embodiments are subject-matter ofdependent claims.

Especially, there is preferred a mechanism for the aligned closure ofsliding doors, in particular for furniture or compartments with two ormore doors, with a sliding door for each compartment, and where eachcompartment opens by sliding and overlapping of one of the doors withone of the adjacent doors and closes in alignment with at least one ofthe adjacent door, characterised in that it comprises

-   -   a single bracket or support plate for each of the doors, one end        of the bracket being positioned on the upper side of said door,        especially being positioned approximately on a centre line of        the upper side of said door, the opposite end of the bracket        being equipped with a first sensing wheel or bearing, to be        positioned at or in and to run along a longitudinal cam guide,        said bracket being suitable for inclination and transversal        movement with a longitudinal sliding carriage, which also allows        the bracket via the carriage to slide along a rail preferably to        be positioned on the edge of the upper surface of the        compartments to be closed or opened;    -   the longitudinal sliding carriage of the bracket and of its        door, said carriage being equipped with one or more bearing        elements or pulleys that are adjustably transversally and by one        or more bearing elements or wheels that are rendered        transversally adjustable and by its sliding movement along the        rail, in addition to being equipped with pivot wheels or        bearings on which the bracket can move axially in relation to        the carriage and can therefore move transversally in relation to        the longitudinal opening and closing movement of the doors to        open or close the compartments; and    -   an arm, one end of which is firmly attached to the support        bracket of each door, while the other end is equipped with at        least a second sensing device having at least one wheel or        bearing, to be positioned and to run along an other longitudinal        cam guide using the same bracket for inclination and movement,        with its door in motion, in relation also to the form of the cam        guide to which the second sensing device is connected.

Especially, the one end of the bracket can be firmly attached to thecentre line of the upper edge of a door, while the other end of thebracket is equipped with at least a first sensing device having thefirst sensing wheel or bearing, to be positioned and to run along thelongitudinal cam guide that has curved structure of its ends formed ascurvature, and while the bracket together with the first sensing deviceand with a second sensing device having such second sensing wheel orbearing, attached to a second cam guide having curved ends formed ascurvatures, defines the inclination and the movement by which the door,during opening of the compartment, can overlap the adjoining door thatis closed over its adjoining compartment.

Especially, a bracket of any other door has one end, which can be firmlyattached at the centre line of the upper edge of the corresponding sameother door, while the other end is equipped with at least a firstsensing device having such first wheels or bearings, to be positionedand to run along the or such a cam guide that has curved structure ofits ends formed as such curvatures, and that this bracket together witha second sensing device having such second wheels or bearings, attachedto the or such a second cam guide and its curved ends formed ascurvatures defines the inclination and the movement by which the sameother door, during opening of the corresponding compartment, can overlapthe adjoining door that is closed over its adjoining compartment.

It is preferred, that each bracket is rendered stable by one end of arm,while the other end is equipped with the second sensing device,preferably arranged with two wheels or bearings and with a stabilisingbearing or wheel attached to an adjustable plate, said wheels orbearings sliding within a cam guide, which with it curvatures andtogether with the movement of the first sensing device are capable ofsetting the inclination required in the bracket for closing therespective door by overlapping of the adjoining door during the openingphase of its compartment as well as setting the closure alignmentposition.

Especially, each bracket has a lower surface that has a compartment orfirst cavity, on the one end and a compartment on the opposite end, saidcompartments being suitable for housing and guiding an upper section oftwo respective joint members or sections of the co-operating carriage,this carriage being guided within said compartments or cavities by thewheels or bearings and by its bearings or wheels, which slide alongtracks of the same bracket.

The carriage can have one end with an attached pivot, especially pin orbar, which allows a plate to move on said pivot, thus also allowingmovement of the idler bearing elements or pulleys that are adjustablytransversally and being positioned on the plate.

The carriage can have a section, that contrasts section and is deeper,wider and/or higher enabling it to house lateral guides and a frontalguide, especially fronatl guide cavity, in addition to having acompartment to house a viscous-fluid soft-closing system to act on oneof its racks that is housed in the same compartment and has a dampeningaction in respect of the traction action of elastic devices arranged toreturn the bracket into alignment on the carriage.

Especially, in a suitable axial position, a pin or bar is solidlyattached to the higher section of the carriage, said pin or bar beingcapable of moving a further plate to which the especially two bearingelements or wheels that are rendered transversally adjustable at thecarriage are attached, these wheels being able to be positioned in atransversal balancing guide of the rail.

According to a preferred version the rail being a single rail, inclusiveof a single track, on which are positioned a pair of the adjustablesliding bearings or pulleys of the carriage, and inclusive of abalancing guide, on which are positioned a pair of the adjustablesliding wheels of the carriage, said rail being attached to the uppersurface of a top panel of the unit of furniture or at any elementcovering two or more compartments, and said rail being positionedalongside two guide members, of the cam guides for a pair ofcompartments, as well as to sections of said guide members with camguides for each adjoining compartment.

Especially, such a guide member presents an undercut undercut groovethat is parallel to and in proximity to the track, with at least one endcurvature having an especially large curve ending with the compartmentto be opened in proximity of an external side of the compartment or unitof furniture.

According to a preferred mechanism such a guide member with an uppergroove running parallel to the track but is positioned to the rear ofthe guide, and having at least one end curvature with a narrowercurvature radius than that of the other guide, being even inferior tothe value corresponding to the length of the arm of the bracket attachedto it.

Especially, the alignment of the first sensing device having the firstwheels or bearings of the bracket in the cam guide of the guide member,allows the bracket and its door to move however much is necessary toreach the closed aligned position, with the sensing device positionedalong the final curved section formed by a/the curvature of that camguide in an open position, overlapping the adjoining door, with thesensing device having the first wheels or bearings positioned along astraight section of that cam guide.

Especially, the alignment of the second sensing device having the secondwheels or bearings of the cam guide of a/the member allows the bracketto move and incline via its arm by however much is necessary, togetherwith its door to reach a closed aligned position, with the sensingdevice having the second wheels or bearings positioned along its finalcurved section formed by a/the curvature of that cam guide to an openposition, overlapping the adjoining door, with the sensing device havingthe second wheels or bearings positioned along a straight section ofthat cam guide.

Preferred is a mechanism in that the sliding, inclination and movementof each bracket and its door, in relation to the bracket and theadjoining door, is made possible and concurrent, by the presence ofsome/the adjustable plates on the carriage, through which the bearingsor pulleys and wheels can remain aligned to the rail and or a/the trackthereof and to the transversal balancing guide, while the carriageinclines with the bracket to which it is attached at the firstcompartment or cavity and the compartment formed in the bracket.

Especially, the opposite end of the arm being extended in a directionparallel to the rail and being distanced from the bracket in thedirection parallel to the rail.

Especially, each of devices each comprising one of the brackets and itscarriage are positioned such that one of the devices acts together withcurvatures on a first end of one of the cam guides arranged above thefirst compartment, and that the other of the devices acts together withcurvatures on the other, second end of the cam guides arranged above thesecond compartment.

Such mechanism is preferred, if the third one of the devices actstogether with the curvatures on the other, second end of such cam guidesabove the third compartment, in which the curvatures arranged above thesecond compartment are curved in same direction like the curvaturesarranged above the third compartment.

Especially, there is provided a sliding and support mechanism for eachdoor or unit door having more than one compartment, said mechanismconsisting of a single door, the bracket of which is equipped with afirst sensing device which slots into a longitudinal cam guide and of asecond sensing device which is fitted to one arm of said bracket andthat slots into a second longitudinal cam guide in order that thebracket and its door may incline when it overlaps with the adjacentdoor, said bracket being attached to a transversal sliding carriage thatis, in turn, equipped with an adjustable plate with wheels suitable formovement along the door track and a second adjustable plate with wheelswhich are slotted into a stabilisation guide running parallel to saidtrack.

A preferred main characteristic of this mechanism is that it envisagesthe creation of a single support mechanism for each door or sliding doorand for doors with aligned closure, said mechanism essentiallyconsisting of:

-   -   a single track with parallel balancing guide positioned along        the entire length of the unit's compartments, said track being        connected to a rail or plate positioned on the upper surface of        the top panel and in proximity to the opening edge of each        compartment, which also includes stabilisation and cam guide        members;    -   a pair of longitudinal cam guides for each pair of compartments        to be closed and an additional pair of longitudinal cam guides        for each additional adjoining compartment, said cam guides being        fitted to the track and positioned on the upper panel of the        unit, essentially parallel to the track itself, at least one        extremity being suitably curved towards the base of the        compartment and the extremity of the guide rail nearest the        track having a greater length and curvature radius than the        guide rail that is most external and furthest from said track;    -   a bracket or support plate for each door with sliding closure,        one end of the bracket being positioned approximately on the        centre line of the upper side of said door, its opposite end        being equipped with a wheel or first sensing system to be        positioned and guided by the groove or cam guides positioned        farthest from the door track and the lower section of said        bracket being equipped with suitable guides for transversal        movement of the underlying support carriage positioned        longitudinally along the rail;    -   one end being firmly attached to the bracket while the other end        is equipped with an adjustable carriage or second sensing        device, to be positioned and guided by the longitudinal channel        or cam guide nearest to the door track; and    -   a longitudinal sliding carriage with an adjustable plate with a        pair of pulleys at one end to run along the unit's track while a        second adjustable plate is positioned on the centre line of said        carriage and has wheels running along the balancing guide        parallel to the track to ensure maximum stability of the door        during movement, even in the event of inclination of the bracket        during overlapping of the adjoining door.

As an alternative to standard hinged doors, some sliding door solutionsmay be advantageous if fitted to both cupboards and furniture in generaland door frames or for the closure of compartments or spaces which haveor require less space for opening or closure movements.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the proposed solution and an outline ofthe fulfillment of the specified objects, further details andillustrations are provided hereinafter, based on a form of assembly ofthe device in question, which is by no means exhaustive, and which is tobe fitted to a three-door furniture unit, said description beingsupported by enclosed drawing, of which:

FIG. 1 is a transparent downward view, from the upper panel of athree-compartment cupboard, presented without doors, in which the upperpanel has a single longitudinal track for the three respective doors anda series of cam guides for said doors, for fitting of the device inquestion onto each one of the doors of each compartment to allow theoverlapping opening and aligned closure of each door;

FIG. 2 is a transparent downward view, from the same upper panel of athree-compartment cupboard shown in FIG. 1, in which it is shown withits respective doors in a closed position in alignment with thecompartments, in which a similar number of devices are fitted to saiddoors;

FIG. 3 is a transversal, enlarged and partial view, as per section planIII-III of the upper panel in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a transversal, enlarged view of a bracket, attached to theupper edge of the respective door to be supported and moved and isrepresented as per section plan IV-IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial pan view of the same bracket shown in FIG. 4, frombelow;

FIG. 6 is an upward plan view of the support and longitudinal slidingcarriage of the bracket in FIG. 4, to be positioned in the dedicatedspaces of the lower surface of said bracket;

FIG. 7 is a vertical view, as per section plan VII-VII of the carriageshown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a downward view of the carriage shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a transversal view of the carriage shown in FIG. 7, in theinitial phase of application of the bracket shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a transversal view of the carriage shown in FIG. 7, in thesecond phase of application of the bracket shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a transversal view of the carriage shown in FIG. 7, generallyapplied to the bracket shown in FIG. 4, shown with its balancing arm andin the door's aligned closed position, as per section IV-IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the same bracket with carriage and arm asshown in FIG. 11, shown in the door's aligned closed position;

FIG. 13 is a vertical view of the end of the arm of the carriage shownin FIG. 12, from the direction indicated in XIII;

FIG. 14 is the same plan view as shown in FIG. 12 but with the door andbracket shown during inclination and movement resulting from overlappingof the adjacent door;

FIG. 15 is a transversal view of the same carriage and same bracket anddoor as shown in FIG. 11, when positioned on the track and on the camguides pursuant to FIG. 3 and shown in the same aligned closureposition, in which this view is completed by the identification of anon-restrictive solution for the guide on the lower section of saiddoor;

FIG. 16 is the same view, as shown in FIG. 15, of the carriage andbracket with the door shown in the opening and moving position resultingfrom overlapping of the adjacent door;

FIG. 17 is a downward view of the three-door cupboard and is the same asthe view shown in FIG. 2 but with an additional open lateral compartmentand with the relative door overlapping the adjoining central door, whichis in a closed position;

FIG. 18 is a downward view of the same cupboard as shown in FIG. 11, butwith its lateral door opposite the previous door, which is shown in openposition and overlapping the central door which is in a closed position.

MODE FOR INVENTION

The same details are presented or are intended as having been presentedin all figures with the same reference number.

As per the construction solution illustrated in the abovementionedfigures, a device A, for the aligned closure of sliding doors 1, 2 and 3proposed as a mechanism, essentially consists of a bracket 10, which isfitted to a sliding carriage 30 along the track 51 and along thebalancing point or guide 52, constituting the rail 50 to which it isalso attached by means of a pair of longitudinal cam guides 60 and 70fitted to the external surface of an upper panel C. One end 11 of thisbracket 10, which is suitable for connection to the central section ofthe upper side of a door 1 or cupboard door, and an opposite end 12,equipped with a first sensing device with either first wheels orbearings 13, is placed in horizontal position to the door 1 and itswheel or bearing 13 is to be slotted into the longitudinal cam guide 70.

An arm 14 is connected to the same bracket 10 and its opposite end 14 ais equipped with a second sensing device with either wheels or bearings15 fitted to a rotating plate 16 on a pivot 17 and to which at least oneother guide wheel 18 is attached. This second sensing device preferablywith its bearings 15-15′ is positioned in orthogonal fashion to thefirst sensing device having the first wheels or bearings 13, and are tobe slotted into the longitudinal cam guides 60. The arm extends in adirection parallel to track 51.

The sliding carriage 30 being a longitudinal sliding carriage 30consists of an essentially flat member 31 with an end 32 that issuitable for supporting a pivot 40 of an adjustable plate 41 onto whicha pair of pulleys 42-43 is pivotable beard that will run along the track51.

At the same end 32 of the carriage 30 there is mounted a transversal bar45 at the ends of which are two pairs of bearings 46 a-46 b and 47 a-47b.

A vertical pin 33 is positioned in a suitable axial position at theupper side of the sliding carriage 30. This vertical pin 33 is suitablefor supporting a guide wheel 34.

The flat section 31 of the carriage 30 is connected to another flatsection which is both higher and wider section 36 and which has a slotproviding a compartment 37 for a rack 37 a to be used in connection witha viscous fluid soft-closing system 37 b, as well as a frontal guidecavity 38 and a pair of lateral guides 39, 39 a-39 b.

A vertical bar 46 is also solidly attached downwardly to this heightenedsection 36 and is suitable for supporting and horizontally rotating aplate 47 to which a pair of wheels 48-49 is fitted.

The presence of a pin or bar as the pivot 40 allows the plate 41 and thepair of pulleys 42-43 fitted to it, to be moved independently in respectof the longitudinal axis of the carriage 30 to which they are attached,and the presence of the pin or bar 46 also allows the plate 47 and itstwo wheels 48-49 to move independently in respect of the axis of thecarriage 30.

As previously mentioned, the pulleys 42-43 are to be slotted into thetrack 51 of the guide rail 50, and the wheels 48-49 are to be slottedinto the balancing guide 52 to work together with the pulleys 42-43 tosupport the bracket 10 and the door 1 attached to it.

The possibility of moving the plate 41 and its pulleys 42-43 and thepossibility of moving the plate 47 and its wheels 48-49 ensures thepossibility of constantly maintaining said pulleys 42-43 and said wheels48-49 along respective longitudinal slots forming the track 51 and thebalancing guide 52 of the guide rail 50, even when the bracket 10 andits door 1 are in an inclined position to overlap the adjoining door 2,as detailed below.

Along its lower surface and at the side of its end 11, said bracket 10has a first slot or cavity 20 for housing the plate 31 of the carriage30, while lateral surfaces of the bracket 10 each form a sliding track21 and 22, respectively, for the two bearings 46 a-46 b and 47 a-47 b atthe transversal bar 45 of the carriage 30, thus allowing the effectivetransversal sliding movement of the bracket 10 on said carriage 30.

The movement of the bracket 10 on the carriage 30 is ensured by agreater length and position of a second cavity 23 of the bracket 10,which houses the upper lateral guide wheel 34 of the carriage 30, thuspermitting a sliding movement along a length corresponding to themovement required of the bracket 10 and its door 1 in order to overlapthe adjoining door 2 when said door 1 is to be moved to open arespective compartment V1. The second cavity 23 reaches farther into thebracket 10 from its lower side than the first cavity 20. The cavities20, 23 are confined by the sliding tracks 21, 22 extending perpendicularto the rail 50.

The tracks 21 and 22 of the bracket 10 are interrupted by the presenceof two downwardly extending lateral supports 24-25 upon which the arm 14is fitted, while the end 12 of this bracket 10 has a higher slotproviding a higher compartment 26 to house the wider and higher section36 of the carriage 30.

This bracket 10 is completed by the presence of two lateral bearings27-28 and by one end bearing 29 that are contained in the slot providedby the higher compartment 26 and drive the carriage 30, as detailedbelow.

In relation to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, it is shown how the bracket 10 can befitted to the underlying carriage 30, essentially by slotting it intothe first cavity 20 and higher compartment 26, respectively, so that itcan then move along the carriage 30 to transversally move the respectivedoor 1 while the carriage 30 slide longitudinally along the rail 50.

As can be seen in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, the bracket 10-carriage 30combination is achieved by initially slotting the end being the highersection 36 of the carriage 30 into the slot provided by the highercompartment 26 of the bracket 10 so that its lateral guides 39 a and 39b provided upwardly at the higher section 36 can house lateral rollersbeing provided by the bearings 27 and 28 of the bracket 10. It is pushedin until the end roller 29 slots into the guide slot provided by thefrontal guide cavity 38 of the carriage 30.

When the carriage 30 is fully housed by the first cavity 20 and thehigher compartment 26 of the bracket 10, the roller provided by theguide wheel 34 on the carriage 30 is also housed in the bracket's 10narrow slot provided by the second cavity 23, with consequentrestriction of movement between the bracket 10 and the carriage 30, themovement of which coincides with the possible axial movement of theroller provided by the guide wheel 34 in its housing provided by thesecond cavity 23.

During connection of the bracket 10 to the carriage 30, the viscousfluid soft-closing system 37 b is inserted in the compartment 37 of thecarriage 30, to come into direct contact with the rack 37 a and to befitted, for instance with screws, to the bottom of the highercompartment 26 of the bracket 10, in a pre-established position.

The combined lateral guide action of the bracket's 10 bearings 27-28 onthe carriage's 30 guides 39 a and 39 b alongside the transversal guideaction of the bracket's 10 end bearing 29 in the guide provided by thefrontal guide cavity 38, cause the bracket 10 to house the two parts,i.e. the flat member 31 and the higher section 36 of the carriage 30,essentially in their respective first cavity 20 and slot provided by thehigher compartment 26, passing from the initial assembly position shownin FIG. 9 to the final operating position shown in FIG. 11.

The bracket 10 is therefore complete when the arm 14 is attached to itsfitting slots 24-25, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 11 also shows that following coupling, the carriage 30 and thebracket 10 are joined together by a twisted metallic pair of springs orelastic devices 80, which are placed under suitable tension to returnthe bracket 10 and its door 1 into the aligned position shown in FIG.11, gradually working together with the soft-closing system 37 b togradually achieve this position.

In particular reference to FIG. 3 and as previously mentioned, the plateor rail 50, is suitably fitted to the upper edge of the opening of upperpanel C and has a track 51 and the balancing guide 52 formed as abalancing cavity, which extends along the entire length of the unit offurniture, while a suitable facing panel or head ribbing 53 bothstrengthens and consolidates the rail 50 in addition to obstructing themovement mechanisms from view, especially when the compartment V is openand the respective door 1 cannot cover this aesthetic function.

A longitudinal guide member 62 with undercut groove 60 that isessentially parallel to the track 51 is attached to the same plate 50,by means of rivets 61 for example. However, as illustrated in FIG. 1, atleast one end has a wide curvature 60′ and, in the case of a singleguide 60 for two adjoining compartments V1-V2, the same guide 60 alsohas a contrasting and corresponding large curvature 60″ at its otherend.

Again in relation to FIG. 3, a vertical wall 55, that forms theaforementioned undercut compartment or balancing guide 52 parallel anddistanced to the facing panel 53, also has a support structure 56 tosupport and attach, using screws 71 for example, a longitudinal guidemember 72, from which the longitudinal guide member 72 a cavity orexternal cam guide 70 derives, which is essentially parallel to thetrack 51 and to the internal guide 60, with at least one end formed as acurvature 70′, that is shorter and more curved than the curvature 60′ atguide 60 and is thus farther away from the anterior edge of the upperpanel C as also illustrated by FIG. 1.

More specifically, the curvatures 60′ and 60″ at the ends of the camguide 60 are shorter than the curvatures 70′-70″ at the ends of the camguide 70 by a value that corresponds to the length of the arm 14 orrather to the longitudinal distance between axles of the wheels orbearings 13 of the first sensing device and the wheels or bearings 15 ofthe second sensing device.

In the random construction solution illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 17-18,a third compartment V3 is shown next to two compartments V1-V2, thedoors 1 and 2 of which are activated by identical and opposing devicesA1 and A2, together with a single rail 50 with a track 51 and abalancing guide 52 as well as with the cam guides 60 and 70. This thirdcompartment V3, that can be closed by one of its doors 3 which isequipped with a third device A3 that is identical to the device A2 andtherefore also has a dedicated section of rail 50′ and with twodedicated sections of the cam guides 60 and 70 and their curvatures 60′,70′. The opening of said door 3 also partly utilises said rail 50, whichis also used to move the central door 2.

In the presence of a third compartment V3, to ensure the opening of thedoor 3 in front of the compartment V3 during overlapping of theadjoining door 2, the section of guide member especially formed as thecam guide 70 attached to the upper panel of the compartment V3 must bealigned to a linear section 70A positioned on the upper section of thecompartment V2. As is also shown in FIG. 1, this linear section 70A canconsist of a single plate formed as the longitudinal guide member 72including the guide 70 and the curved ends being the curvatures 70′ and70″ respectively overlapping the compartments V2 and V3.

A brief summary of functionality will now follow, based on theconstructive solution until now described and illustrated. This willalso serve to check consistency with the achievement of the specifiedobjects.

One type of device A is available for fitting to the door 1 in the formof device A1, to the door 2 in the form of device A2, and to the door 3in the form of device A3, for their aligned closure and overlappingopening, of a three-compartment V1, V2, and V3 unit of furniture forexample. The compartments V1-V3 can utilise a single rail 50 with asingle track 51 and a single balancing guide 52 formed as slot along theentire length of the unit of furniture.

Two of these identical first and second devices A1, A2 have their arms14 in a contrasting position and have a single pair of cam guides 60 and70, both with curved ends formed by the curvatures 60′-60″ and 70′-70″.

The arm 14 of the third identical device A3, is in the same position asthe second device A2 and has a pair of cam guides 60-70 each with onlyone curved end formed by curvature 60′-70′, and a total length that isessentially halved and corresponds to the length of compartment V3,which it must open and close.

After assembling each device A1-A2-A3, by connecting the bracket 10 toits underlying carriage 30 and upon fitting the respective arm 14 asshown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the next step is to place each device A1-A3 insequential order along the rail 50 by placing the rollers 48-49 in thebalancing guide 52 and by positioning the pulleys 42-43 on the track 51.

At the same time, moving the carriage 30 transversally along the tracks21-22 of each bracket 10, forces the sensing wheel 13 to slot into itsdedicated cam guide 70 and consequently moves and slots the sensingwheels or bearings 15-15′ of the arm 14 into the cam guide 60 of therespective member 62.

When the sensing wheels or bearings 15-15′ slot into the cam guide 60,the external guide wheel 18 is also placed on the external surface ofthe guide member 62 thus preventing the sensing wheels or bearings15-15′ from accidentally slipping out of their cam guide 60, even in theevent of knocks or unexpected pressure, especially because the openingcomprising the cam guide 60 is open merely in frontal direction.

After the three devices A1-A2 and A3 are thus aligned in sequentialorder, the respective doors 1-2 and 3 can now be fitted, with the ends11 of the respective brackets 10 fitted at approximately the centre-lineof the upper side of the corresponding bracket of the doors 1, 2, and 3,as illustrated in FIG. 2.

In relation to FIGS. 17 and 18, the next step is to close compartment V1by moving to the left the first door 1, which is open and overlappingthe second door 2, with the first door's device A1 with sensing wheelbeing a bearing 13 and sensing wheel being a bearing 15-15′ positionedon the straight section of the respective pair of cam guides 60 and 70.

The carriage 30 of this first device A1 moves, dragged by the operatingelement on the door 1 without any transversal movement of the carriage30 and the bracket 10 that it supports, and transports to the left untilthe pair of second sensing wheels of the bearing 15 of the arm 14 meetsthe curved section formed by the curvature 60″ of the cam guide 60 alongwhich it runs.

Introducing the use of the second sensing wheels of the bearing 15 inthis curved section formed by the curvature 60″, while the sensing wheelof the bearing 13 at opposite end of bracket 10 is still in use on thestraight section of the cam guide 70, the bracket 10 is forced toincline due to its rigid connection to the arm 14 supporting the sensingwheel 15.

As the bracket 10 inclines, so does its door 1, while the pulleys 42-43and the wheels of the bearings 48-49 of the carriage 30 are forced tofollow a straight path that is defined by the track 51 and by thebalancing guide 52. The carriage 30 is forced to follow the inclinationof the bracket 10, to which it is fitted via first cavity 20 andcompartment 26 and by the driving bearings 27, 28 and 29.

Consequently, the plate 41, rotating on its pivot 40 formed as a pin atfrontal end of carriage 30, allows orientation of the pulleys 42-43,which can remain on the track 51, while the carriage 30 inclines withthe bracket 10, for the overlapping phase of the door 1 with the otherdoor 2.

Continuing the traction on the closing door 1, the sensing device of italso comes into contact with the start of the curvature 70″ of its camguide 70.

In the same way as for the plate 41 at frontal end of carriage 30, theplate 47 at vertical bar downwardly extending from wider and highersection 36 also rotates on its pin or vertical bar 46 to allow itsguides formed by the wheels 48-49 to run along the linear guide 52despite the fact that the bracket 10 is still inclined, by effect of theposition of the sensing device formed by the wheels or bearings 15 inthe curved section 60″ of the cam guide 60.

With the arrival of the sensing device formed by the bearings 13arranged at the opposite end 11 of the bracket 10, in the curved section70″ of the cam guide, the bracket 10 rapidly realigns with its carriage30 with consequent final alignment of the door 1 with the adjoining door2 upon full closure of the compartment V1.

It is clear that the difference in lengths and the different curvatureradius of the end forming the curvatures 60″ and 70″ of the cam guides60 and 70 where the sensing devices wheels or bearings 13 and 15 of thebracket 10 run, as well as the different positioning of the start andend points of the curvatures 60″ and 70″, also determine the differentaxial position of the bracket 10 compared to the underlying supportcarriage 30 that is linearly connected to the track 51, thus allowingboth the desired inclination and the required movement of the door 1 onthe adjoining closed door 2 for each opening and for each closure of thecompartment V1, thus fulfilling one of the objectives of the innovation.

In particular, the movement of the door 1 is determined by the movementof the bracket 10 on the carriage 30. This movement is made possible bythe sliding mechanism of the running or sliding tracks 21-22 on thewheels 46-47 of the carriage 30 and by means of the driving bearings27-28 on lateral grooves 39 of said carriage 30 by effect of theposition of the sensing devices comprising the wheels or bearings 13 and15 on the cam guides 70 and 60 upon each pushing action arising from theopening or closing of the door 1.

The movement of the bracket 10 and its door 1 on the carriage 30 isdetermined by their capacity for inclination during overlapping of theadjoining door 2 and on the structure of the cam guides 60 and 70 aswell as on the position of the sensing devices, which they house.

Especially, the devices A1-A3 are positioned such that one of thedevices like first device A1 acts together with the curvatures 60″ and70″ on first end of the cam guides 60 and 70, and that the other of thedevices like second device A2 acts together with the curvatures 60′ and70′ on the other, second end of the cam guides 60 and 70 arranged abovethe second compartment V2. The third one of the devices like thirddevice A3 acts together with the curvatures 60′ and 70′ on the other,second end of the third compartments V3 cam guides 60 and 70. Thecurvatures 60′ and 70′ arranged above the second compartment V2 arecurved in same direction like the curvatures 60′ and 70′ arranged abovethe third compartment V3.

The presence of a well-known type of viscous fluid soft-closing system37 b, with its rack 37 a in the compartment 37 of the carriage 30,allows for gradual movement of the bracket 10 on the carriage 30 againstthe reaction of springs or elastic devices 80, which automatically tendto bring the bracket 10 and its door 1 back into alignment with theother doors 2 and 3. The springs or elastic devices 80 can be tensede.g. between the opposite end 11 of the bracket 10 and a middle sectionof the carriage 30.

Naturally, the illustration relative to compartment V1 closure alsoapplies to subsequent opening of the same compartment V1, inverting thepushing action on the door 1 and inverting the inclination andoverlapping phases of the same door on the adjoining door 2.

Similarly, the compartment V2 can be opened by the door 2, with aninitial inclination that is determined by the position of the sensingdevices formed by its wheels or bearings 15 and 13 in relation to thecorresponding curved sections 60′ and 70′ of the cam guides 60-70 andwith subsequent movement, due to sliding of the bracket 10 of it on itscarriage 30.

One of the main benefits of the innovation is highlighted in FIG. 18.This consists in the fact that a third device A3 in question, identicalto device A2, can also be used to open an unevenly numbered thirdcompartment V3, adjoining two, first and second compartments V1-V2 andconnected to them via two sections of further cam guides 60-70, whichare identical to cam guides 60-70 of the adjoining first and secondcompartment member, and via a section of linear guide 70A to be attachedto the upper panel of the adjoining second compartment V2 to givecontinuity to the movement of the sensing device formed by its wheels orbearings 15, when it leaves the upper panel of the compartment V3.

The narrow width of the bracket 10 of the second device A2 allows thebracket 10 of the third device A3 to transport the third door 3 to thealmost fully open position of the third compartment A3 while ensuringalignment with the same third door 3 when closed, and utilising a singlerail 50, in keeping with some of the specified objects.

The presence of the arm 14, allows the device in question to bepositioned at approximately the centre-line of the various doors 1-3,together with the transversal balancing function of the wheels 48-49 inthe guide 52 even in relation to longitudinal balancing thus ensuringthe greater dimension and weight of the doors to be attached as well asmaximum ease of movement, in line with another of the specifiedobjectives.

As has already been outlined, the assembly solution herein illustratedand described, may of course be altered to take on other forms ofassembly.

For example, the wheels 13 and 15 of the sensing device or the slidingwheels 46-47 of the bracket 10 on the carriage 30 and the wheels 48-49of the balancing guides 52 and the wheels of the pulleys 42-43 can bereplaced with sliding blocks or with bronze or Teflon pegs. Furthermore,for example the number of wheels, pulleys and bearings to be fitted tothe various sections of longitudinal and transversal movement of thebracket 10 and its carriage 30 can be changed. Further, there can bearranged furniture having more than three compartments and slidingdoors.

1. Mechanism for the aligned closure of sliding doors (1-3), inparticular for furniture or compartments (V1-V3) with two or more doors(1-3), with a sliding door (1, 2 or 3) for each compartment (V1-V3), andwhere each compartment (V1-V3) opens by sliding and overlapping of oneof the doors (1, 2, 3) with one of the adjacent doors and closes inalignment with at least one of the adjacent door, characterised in thatit comprises a single bracket (10) or support plate for each of thedoors (1, 2, 3), one end (11) of the bracket (10) being positioned onthe upper side of said door (1, 2, 3), especially being positionedapproximately on a centre line of the upper side of said door (1, 2, 3),the opposite end (12) of the bracket (10) being equipped with a firstsensing wheel or bearing (13), to be positioned at or in and to runalong a longitudinal cam guide (70; 70, 70′, 70″), said bracket (10)being suitable for inclination and transversal movement with alongitudinal sliding carriage (30), which also allows the bracket (10)via the carriage (30) to slide along a rail (50) preferably to bepositioned on the edge of the upper surface of the compartments (V1-V3)to be closed or opened; the longitudinal sliding carriage (30) of thebracket (10) and of its door, said carriage (30) being equipped with oneor more bearing elements or pulleys (42, 43) that are adjustablytransversally and by one or more bearing elements or wheels (48, 49)that are rendered transversally adjustable and by its sliding movementalong the rail (50), in addition to being equipped with pivot wheels orbearings (27-29, 34, 46 a,46 b,47 a,47 b) on which the bracket (10) canmove axially in relation to the carriage (30) and can therefore movetransversally in relation to the longitudinal opening and closingmovement of the doors (1, 2, 3) to open or close the compartments(V1-V3); and an arm (14), one end of which is firmly attached to thesupport bracket (10) of each door (1, 2, 3), while the other end (14 a)is equipped with at least a second sensing device having at least onewheel (18) or bearing (15, 15′), to be positioned and to run along another longitudinal cam guide (60, 60′, 60″) using the same bracket (10)for inclination and movement, with its door (1, 2, 3) in motion, inrelation also to the form of the cam guide (60, 60′, 60″) to which thesecond sensing device is connected.
 2. Mechanism as per claim 1,characterised in that, the one end (11) of the bracket (10) can befirmly attached to the centre line of the upper edge of a door (1),while the other end (12) of the bracket (10) is equipped with at least afirst sensing device having the first sensing wheel or bearing (13), tobe positioned and to run along the longitudinal cam guide (70) that hascurved structure of its ends formed as curvature (70′, 70″), and whilethe bracket (10) together with the first sensing device and with asecond sensing device having such second sensing wheel or bearing (15),attached to a second cam guide (60) having curved ends formed ascurvatures (60′, 60″), defines the inclination and the movement by whichthe door (1), during opening of the compartment (V1), can overlap theadjoining door (2) that is closed over its adjoining compartment (V2).3. Mechanism as per claim 2, characterised in that a bracket (10) of anyother door (2, 3) has one end (11), which can be firmly attached at thecentre line of the upper edge of the corresponding same other door (2,3), while the other end (12) is equipped with at least a first sensingdevice having such first wheels or bearings (13), to be positioned andto run along the or such a cam guide (70) that has curved structure ofits ends formed as such curvatures (70′, 70″), and that this bracket(10) together with a second sensing device having such second wheels orbearings (15), attached to the or such a second cam guide (60) and itscurved ends formed as curvatures (60′, 60″) defines the inclination andthe movement by which the same other door (2, 3), during opening of thecorresponding compartment (V2, V3), can overlap the adjoining door (1 or2) that is closed over its adjoining compartment (V1, or V2). 4.Mechanism as per claim 2 or 3, characterised in that each bracket (10)is rendered stable by one end of arm (14), while the other end (14 a) isequipped with the second sensing device, preferably arranged with twowheels or bearings (15, 15′) and with a stabilising bearing or wheel(18) attached to an adjustable plate (16), said wheels or bearings (15,15′) sliding within a cam guide (60), which with it curvatures (60′,60″) and together with the movement of the first sensing device (13) arecapable of setting the inclination required in the bracket (10) forclosing the respective door (1, 2, 3) by overlapping of the adjoiningdoor (2, 1, 2) during the opening phase of its compartment (V1, V2, V3)as well as setting the closure alignment position.
 5. Mechanism as perany of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that each bracket (10) has alower surface that has a compartment or first cavity (20), on the oneend (11) and a compartment (26) on the opposite end (12), saidcompartments being suitable for housing and guiding an upper section oftwo respective joint members (31) or sections (36) of the co-operatingcarriage (30), this carriage (30) being guided within said compartmentsor cavities (20, 26) by the wheels or bearings (27, 28, 29) and by itsbearings or wheels (46, 47), which slide along tracks (21, 22) of thesame bracket (10).
 6. Mechanism as per any of claims 1 to 5,characterised in that the carriage (30) has one end (32) with anattached pivot (40), especially pin or bar, which allows a plate (41) tomove on said pivot (40), thus also allowing movement of the idlerbearing elements or pulleys (42, 43) that are adjustably transversallyand being positioned on the plate (41).
 7. Mechanism as per any ofclaims 1 to 5, characterised in that the carriage (30) has a section(36), that contrasts section (31) and is deeper, wider and/or higherenabling it to house lateral guides (39) and a frontal guide, especiallyfronatl guide cavity (38), in addition to having a compartment (37) tohouse a viscous-fluid soft-closing system (37 b) to act on one of itsracks (37 a) that is housed in the same compartment (37) and has adampening action in respect of the traction action of elastic devices(80) arranged to return the bracket (10) into alignment on the carriage(30).
 8. Mechanism as per claim 6 or as per claims 6 and 7,characterised in that, in a suitable axial position, a pin or bar (46)is solidly attached to the higher section (36) of the carriage (30),said pin or bar (46) being capable of moving a further plate (47) towhich the especially two bearing elements or wheels (48, 49) that arerendered transversally adjustable at the carriage (30) are attached,these wheels being able to be positioned in a transversal balancingguide (52) of the rail (50).
 9. Mechanism as per any of the previousclaims, characterised in that the rail (50) being a single rail (50),inclusive of a track (51), on which are positioned a pair of theadjustable sliding bearings or pulleys (42, 43) of the carriage (30),and inclusive of a balancing guide (52), on which are positioned a pairof the adjustable sliding wheels (48, 49) of the carriage (30), saidrail (50) being attached to the upper surface of a top panel (C) of theunit of furniture or at any element covering two or more compartments(V1, V2, V3), and said rail (50) being positioned alongside two guidemembers (62, 72), of the cam guides (60, 70) for a pair of compartments(V1, V2), as well as to sections of said guide members (62, 72) with camguides (60, 70) for each adjoining compartment (V3).
 10. Mechanism asper claim 9, characterised in that such a guide member (62) presents anundercut undercut groove (60) that is parallel to and in proximity tothe track (51), with at least one end curvature (60′, 60″) having anespecially large curve ending with the compartment to be opened inproximity of an external side of the compartment or unit of furniture.11. Mechanism as per claim 9 or 10, characterised in that such a guidemember (72) with an upper groove (70) running parallel to the track (51)but is positioned to the rear of the guide (60), and having at least oneend curvature (70′, 70″) with a narrower curvature radius than that ofthe other guide (60), being even inferior to the value corresponding tothe length of the arm (14) of the bracket (10) attached to it. 12.Mechanism as per any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that thealignment of the first sensing device having the first wheels orbearings (13) of the bracket (10) in the cam guide (70) of a/the guidemember (72), allows the bracket (10) and its door (1) to move howevermuch is necessary to reach the closed aligned position, with the sensingdevice (13) positioned along the final curved section formed by a/thecurvature (70′, 70″) of that cam guide (70) in an open position,overlapping the adjoining door (2), with the sensing device having thefirst wheels or bearings (13) positioned along a straight section ofthat cam guide (70).
 13. Mechanism as per any of claims 1 to 12,characterised in that the alignment of the second sensing device havingthe second wheels or bearings (15) of the cam guide (60) of a/the member(62) allows the bracket (10) to move and incline via its arm (14) byhowever much is necessary, together with its door (1) to reach a closedaligned position, with the sensing device having the second wheel's orbearings (15) positioned along its final curved section formed by a/thecurvature (60′, 60″) of that cam guide (60) to an open position,overlapping the adjoining door (2), with the sensing device having thesecond wheels or bearings (15) positioned along a straight section ofthat cam guide (60).
 14. Mechanism as per any of claims 1 to 13,characterised in that the sliding, inclination and movement of eachbracket (10) and its door (1, 2, 3), in relation to the bracket (10) andthe adjoining door (2, 1, 2), is made possible and concurrent, by thepresence of some/the adjustable plates (41, 47) on the carriage (30),through which the bearings or pulleys (42, 43) and wheels (48, 49) canremain aligned to the rail (50) and or a/the track (51) thereof and toa/the transversal balancing guide (52), while the carriage (30) inclineswith the bracket (10) to which it is attached at a/the first compartmentor cavity (20) and a/the compartment (26) formed in the bracket (10).15. Mechanism as per any of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that theopposite end (14 a) of the arm (14) being extended in a directionparallel to the rail (50) and being distanced from the bracket (10) inthe direction parallel to the rail (50).
 16. Mechanism as per any ofclaims 1 to 15, characterised in that each of devices (A1-A3) eachcomprising one of the brackets (10) and its carriage (30) are positionedsuch that one of the devices (A1) acts together with curvatures (60″,70″) on a first end of one of the cam guides (60, 70) arranged above thefirst compartment (V1), and that the other of the devices (A2) actstogether with curvatures (60′, 70′) on the other, second end of the camguides (60, 70) arranged above the second compartment (V2). 17.Mechanism as per claim 16, characterized in that the third one of thedevices (A3) acts together with the curvatures (60′, 70′) on the other,second end of such cam guides (60, 70) above the third compartment (V3),in which the curvatures (60′, 70′) arranged above the second compartment(V2) are curved in same direction like the curvatures (60′, 70′)arranged above the third compartment (V3).